Marina And The Diamonds - FROOT [Album Review]

(For a TRACK-BY-TRACK REVIEW, scroll down.) The third studio album in Welsh singer-songwriter Marina Diamandis' (known professionally as Marina and the Diamonds) discography, is the ever-colourful FROOT, which the quirky singer has been working on since 2013. After the commercial and cult success of Electra Heart (2012), which saw the singer take on a different persona and multiple personalities, FROOT is a significant difference in styling's which shies away from the gimmicky for a more personal touch. Showcasing an obsession over fruit-machine style conceptuality, Diamandis assigns a particular colour and relevant 'fruit' to each track, starting off with yellow 'Happy' and concluding with green 'Immortal'. But does this vividly colourful style pay off for the singer? Read our track-by-track review below (or simply scroll to your favourite song to hear our thoughts!). 

Starting off at #1 is 'Happy', a stripped-down, soft piano ballad that does its part in expressing the raw emotion behind the song from Diamandis. The rather simplistic instrumental nature of the song focuses the attention on Diamandis’ vocals, which are moving and mellifluously hopeful. #2 'Froot' toes the line between the sensational and the sexual, with the title track from the album demonstrating a sumptuous mix of seductive vocals and sweet highs and lows. Diamandis definitely serves up a juicy helping of electro beats for listeners to enjoy, reminiscent of her electro-pop filled Electra Heart. One for particular clever word play and certain euphemisms, Marina packs a punch with this salacious song, “I’m you carnal flower, I’m your bloody rose/ Pick my petals off and make my heart explode”.  

#3 'I’m A Ruin' – One of the most notable songs on the album, and the first official single, ‘I’m A Ruin’ is a synthpop disco mix which ramps up the energy for the vibrant chorus. Like many tracks on the album, the song starts off in a more sombre, introspective manner, and the element of the personal (which comes from being penned solely by the singer, like the other tracks) adds a special touch to the overall feel of the track. In at #4 is 'Blue' which is decidedly disco, sounding in a way like an arcade song, coinciding with the fruit-machine feel of the album. It’s undeniably quirky and upbeat for a song which is essentially about not feeling down or sad about anything anymore. It is certainly a pattern that the more emotional songs tend to possess a more cheerful acoustic, even if the song itself is not happy at all.

#5 'Forget' is a like an individual with a relinquished past, striving for the new with every thought and action it takes but not forgetting its memorable life before that, it combines the old and the new (it’s only suitable it should follow on from ‘Blue’!). A more sedated angst and brimming confidence underlines the song, and Diamandis’ switches between beautiful soaring vocals and quieter, subtle murmurs. #6 'Gold' is a euphoric, glitzy addition with sweet falsettos from Diamonds, and the acoustics are reminiscent of a lazy summer afternoon. #7 'Can’t Pin Me Down' is a snappier and sassier addition to the singer’s discography and features some explicit vocals and smooth rock beats that add to the punchy more brash nature of the track. This one's a bit like Marmite – you’re either gonna’ love it or hate it.

#8 'Solitaire' is possibly one of the best records on the album. Blissfully understated, it has a particularly relaxing effect, with the sounds of waves crashing over the background in a calming manner. A prominently individual track, the sound is unlike anything else on the album, showcasing Diamandis' talent in both song-writing and singing. Not content with mere people-pleasing, the singer goes all out for the chorus; “Solitaire/ Something you consider/ Rare/ I don’t wanna be compared/ With that cheap shimmer and glitter/ Solitaire”.  #9 'Better Than That' is perhaps a little bit out of place, although not terrible, it doesn’t feel like it lives up to the quality of the rest of the songs on the album. Perhaps give this one a pleasant miss. #10 'Weeds' on the other hand, is a perfectly pleasant pop addition, that is drenched with personality and flair, and an interesting guitar rift in the latter part of the track.

Perhaps just surpassing 'Solitaire', 'I'm A Ruin' and 'Immortal' in quality is the society-central 'Savages' at #11. Possessing a fascinating and intriguing chorus that tackles the possible true nature of humanity, the track is unapologetically provocative; “Underneath it all we’re just savages/ Hidden behind shirts, ties and marriages/ How can we expect anything at all?/ We’re just animals still learning how to crawl”. One of the more frenetic and fast-paced additions on the album, Marina switches between haunting ending vocals and deeper toned mid-shifts, culminating in a truly captivating chorus and pre-chorus. #12 'Immortal' concludes the album in an ever-eternal fashion. Hauntingly combining soft and elusive instrumentals with particularly catchy, brash lyrics, this one is hard to forget. One segment that particularly sticks out is “everybody dies, everybody dies/ If I could buy forever at a price/ I would buy it twice, twice”, which benefits from an addictive rhyming pattern. Surrounded by a certain sense of solemness but also enlightenment, ‘Immortal’ is the type of though-provoking track you just don’t come across in certain mainstream pop songs, and is aided by angelic vocals from the singer that soar above the slow rhythmic beat.

Diamandis certainly has a certain knack for combining catchy choruses with real contemplation on life and society, and FROOT is an example where this all pays off well for the singer. Long gone are the days of Electra Heart and The Family Jewels (2010) era, and whilst some singers may be dwindling in creativity by their third album, Marina and the Diamonds is coming into her stride. Rare in its cohesive nature and overall quality of concept, FROOT doesn't just settle for a few massive hits, but offers up plentiful supplies of pop perfection. Diamandis' latest album shows that it has the heart and emotive content to compel its listeners and the catchy choruses to keep them hooked. Likely to satiate fans for a few years, FROOT is a rare gem amongst some desolate pop shores. 

If you want to hear more from the singer, you can check out our 'Top 10 Marina and the Diamonds' segment, which details her best songs pre-FROOT era. 

Charli XCX - Sucker [Album Review]

The ferocious Charli XCX is back with her third studio album, Sucker, and after multiple delays it proves to be worth the wait. Relatively unknown up until recently - when her and Iggy Azalea's smash hit 'Fancy' braced itself for world domination - Charlotte Aitchison a.k.a. Charli XCX has crash landed onto the airwaves in recent months. The english singer-songwriter sound is a mix of power pop and punk pop with the singer taking influence from the 70s, 80s and 90s in both her musical and personal styling. Sucker has the vibrant energy, the acidic attitude and strong electric sound that Charli XCX is becoming know for. The album is unapologetic and rightly so. For a track-by-track review, read below: 

‘Sucker’ – Suck on this. A striking heart beat opens the first track, which is a heart-stopping punk pop fusion. Dripping with sass and possessing a throwback chorus, 'Sucker' is the track where the English singer literally tells everyone to go fuck themselves. The initial image the album conjures is of the carefree, rebellious youth who doesn’t care about telling the world to screw itself. It’s refreshing to hear something so abrasive and sweet-to-the-ear at the same time. It’s sugar pop punk at its best. In at #2 is ‘Break The Rules’, which is a brazen, outlandish and fun-loving and unruly song, with a heavy bass that compliments the rebellious nature of the track. Charli’s ‘I don’t wanna go to school/ I just want to break the rules’ is no doubt an anthem teens across the nation and worldwide can easily sing and thrash along to.

In at #3 is ‘London Queen’ which kicks it back with more funky guitar beats and a sound which isn't dissimilar to that of The Clash’s ‘London Calling’. Charli’s infectious vocals demand attention and her personality shines through this addictive piece of ear candy. ‘Breaking Up’ is up next, and it cranks up the attitude. This is a suitable alternative to the break-up anthem for those who are not quite content with other pop stars' offerings. Track listing #5 is 'Gold Coins', whose psychedelic digital beats clatter against the heavy guitar rhythms. Charli's starts off with subdued vocals that eventually culminate themselves for a full blast off at the chorus, whilst broken-up guitar solos add to the solid sounds. 

‘Boom Clap’ is in at #6, fusing full drum and synth beats with an undeniably catchy chorus that proved widely successful for Charli XCX. The track also served as the first single for The Fault in Our Stars' soundtrack. The song depicts a giddy romance, with Charli singing 'Boom Clap/ the sound of my heart/ the beat goes on and on and on on on on'. It's easy to get behind this one. Next up, Charli teams up with Rita Ora (who seems to be doing the rounds on everyone's album) to make ‘Doing It’ - although we're not really sure if it is doing anything at all. The track is a bit generic and there is nothing particularly outstanding or ear-catching about it, despite it's solid production and glossy finish. It just doesn't seem to spark much personality or soul. 

In at #8 is ‘Body Of My Own’ where the songstress belts out lyrics at a super lightning speed, and with a particularly frenetic beat to match. The result is a drug-induced haze where ‘Body Of My Own’ is pure pleasure. ‘Famous’ – Wanna feel ‘So Outrageous/ Just Like we’re famous’? Well then Charli’s got you covered on this whimsical feel-good party track. ‘Hanging Around’ is track #10, although there's not really much to hear here, we get the vibe it's more of a filler track. Up next is ‘So Over You’, where the sounds (and Charli’s chorus vocals) are a little reminiscent of Britney here, and it strangely works; ‘My tears, they cried/ Like a waterfall in the light/ My rose don’t bloom, since you left me blue’. This is another alternative break up song, but one which possibly works more than ‘Breaking Up’ (available on European versions of the album).

In at #12 is ‘Die Tonight’, which sounds like one of those tracks you sing at the end of a concert with your friends to play out the end of the night. Charli sings triumphantly that she could die tonight and still be perfectly content, ‘Cause I’ve got the magic in my veins/ And I’m going hard with all my friends’. Euphoric beats and a simple guitar strumming paired with understated vocals from Charli XCX make this a memorable addition as #12 on European Sucker additions (and #11 on North America versions). #13 ‘Caught In The Middle’ is far too similar to previous pop offerings - you can probably skip this one. ‘Need Ur Luv’ is a sweet and airy closing track which finishes the album off nicely. If you have the European version, you'll also have track #15, which is 'Red Balloon', where Charli once again stretches her vocals chords and shows how fast she can sing out verses over a slick production sound featuring plenty of gimmicks and attitude. Definite feel-good vibe. 

Overall, Sucker has it's highlights and although some songs are frankly forgettable, it's strong tracks reaffirm that the singer is headed in the right direction, and the throwback style is definitely her forte. The rebellious and head-strong nature of the album is best emulated by Charli XCX, whose brash and unique vocal style make her one of the more memorable voices in the music industry, whilst the mix of pop punk and power-pop stand her apart from her bubblegum peers. A nod to misfits and youths, Sucker is electrically charged and inspirational to the rebel in all of us, with its cool production and mix of volatile language and retro sounds. 

4 stars. 

FASHION: Welcome to the Blogosphere

(Tanya Burr; photo from look.co.uk)

Blogs. Chances are we’ve all heard of them and possibly even own our own blog – whether it be to document our day-to-day ramblings, opinions on latest news or entertainment or indeed just to share something else with the millions of people online (or just your friend who lives down the street). But nothing has risen quite so high in recent years in the blogosphere than fashion and beauty blogs. In this blogs, people share their style tips, showcasing latest trends or simply displaying their outfit of the day (#OOTD).

(Zoe Sugg/Zoella; photo from Zoella.co.uk)

With easy-to-use platforms like Blogspot and WordPress available to anyone with an internet connection blogging has become a worldwide sensation – especially for budding fashion and beauty writers. It’s true that blogs are a great platform for those wishing to flex their skills in writing, photography or show off their unique style.

(Susanna Lau; photo from quietlunch.com)

But what are some of the best fashion and beauty bloggers and blogs around? This is a difficult question, as there are thousands of blogs that feature individual styles and trends and display wonderful make-up looks that it can seem a little daunting to just highlight a few. Probably one of the more notable ones you may have heard of is Norwich’s own Tanya Burr, who started her fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog in 2011 and ever since has become a hit with all types of people, for her cute and succinct reviews of various products, her monthly favourites and her signature styles. Burr’s success on her blog and on YouTube has allowed her to branch out and launch her own cosmetics line, showing the benefits of her blogging.

(Gabi Gregg; photo from gabifresh.com)

Want to know some more of our favourite fashion and beauty bloggers and read the rest of this article? Then check it out, here. 

Nicki Minaj - The Pinkprint [Album Review]

The self-described Queen of Rap’s new album, The Pinkprint, released 2 years after the fierce Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded showcases a change of thematic for the singer. Not content with mere bubblegum beats and quirky lyrical stylings, Minaj has opted for a significantly deeper and retrospective look on her life over the past years; with the lyrics offering up some intense emotional expression about the struggles she went through and how she finally ‘made it’. Although this type of self-reflection is nothing new, it’s interesting to see that The Pinkprint encompasses Minaj’s trade-mark quick-spitting raps mixed with addictive beats and an air of vulnerability.  

Opening the album is the highly personal ‘All things go’, documenting Minaj’s past emotional battles including the murder of her cousin, her abortion and the effects of her substantial success as a musical artist and a notable black female rapper. The inspiring and also tragic story is particularly evident in ‘All things go’ as Minaj combines rap with traditional melancholic singing, heavy basses and bittersweet synths. The effect is a powerful one. This softer, intimate sound continues in track 2 & 3, named ‘I Lied’ and ‘The Crying Game’.

But just in case you thought you had lost the sassy and sexual lyrics that Minaj is known for, you reach track 4, ‘Get On Your Knees’ – this time featuring the sweet and vocally powerful Ariana Grande – which is essentially 3 minutes 36 seconds of not-so-subtle allusions to oral sex. Dominant Nicki shows her talents at rapping in this trap track, whilst the addition of Grande adds a memorable segment to the song which essentially switches tables on the usual R&B tracks whose sole focus is male pleasure.

Queen Bey(once) is back and teaming up with Minaj on #5’s ‘Feeling Myself’, continuing the sultry sexual theme. The track is fun and features a killer flow from Minaj, whilst Beyonce shows her stopping power, by halting the track to a temporary stop, breaking up the rhythm and creating an interesting distinction. With a whole host of notable names making an appearance on The Pinkprint, it seems Minaj is still reigning supreme in the rap-world. Skylar Grey swoops in for an emotional stint on ‘Bed of Lies’, whilst Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown stop by for several verses on ‘Only’, a steely addition to Minaj’s discography, and one that shows her rapping skills outshining many of her fellow male peers.

Fans of Minaj’s ‘Starships’ should stop by #13 ‘The Night Is Still Young’, which sees the singer show she can still pull out a powerhouse, dreamy pop anthem. The Pinkprint also features phenomenal hit ‘Anaconda’ and previous hazy, heavy-beat single ‘Pills N Potions’. Additionally, if you happen to have the Deluxe Version lying around, we recommend checking out ‘Shanghai’, a dizzy grime-house sound featuring some killer instrumentals and has some of the best of ‘crazy Nicki’. We also recommend ‘Win Again’ is you’re looking for some super-confident, super-clear pop mix with a solid beat. Nicki really sells the last two tracks.

Overall, Minaj introduces us to a quirky and vibrant mix of several styles: from brash hip-hop to euphoric synths, accompanied by some serious rapping skills and confident vocal performances from the female rapper.  The Pinkprint has something for everyone, whatever ‘style’ of Nicki you are looking for, you’re likely to find it here, and the contrast between the more emotional additions and her trippy, domineering ones is fascinating. Whilst The Pinkprint doesn’t conquer any abstract ground or pave out any new pathways in music, it does show the individual style of the singer far more successfully than most albums, and this in itself is an accomplishment. 

4 stars. 

Sia - Elastic Heart feat. Maddie Ziegler & Shia LaBeouf (Official Video) [+ Review]

Remember Maddie Ziegler from the music video of Sia's smash hit, Chandelier? Well, the young performer is back and dancing to the unique singer-songwriter's latest music video; entitled 'Elastic Heart'. You can check out our review of the track itself, right here. The track featured on not only 1000 Forms of Fear but also on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack, the latter of which originally featured The Weeknd singing the second verse. On this second (album version) however, only Diplo features. But whilst Ziegler returns dramatically to the centre stage for the new music video, she is accompanied by actor Shia LaBeouf, who performs a intriguing routine with Ziegler. 

The two take part in a tussle (or type of wrestle) and appear to be struggling with each other throughout the video, ending with Ziegler's character trying to free LaBeouf's but the latter can't seem to fully escape his cagey prison. There are many metaphors this could stand for and no doubt multiple interpretations but it is certainly an interesting spectacle to watch - and a though-provoking one at that. 

Sia's videos always do contain a certain element of creativity and 'Elastic Heart' is no exception, with a unique visual take that reflects the sentiment of the song, and compelling performances by LaBeouf and Ziegler, 'Elastic Heart' is definitely one to watch. Will it become the next Chandelier and see Sia rise again to the most watched ranks of video content? 

Get in on the action and watch below, and tell us your thoughts in the comments!